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Construct 3 vs Ren'Py

Construct 3 logo

Construct 3

Software

Create games without coding. Powered by the Scirra engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ren'Py logo

Ren'Py

Software

A visual novel engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Construct 3 the free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account; Ren'Py desktop support is limited to Windows 10 and later on x86_64, macOS 10.10 and later on x86_64, and Linux on x86_64 or Arm
  • They diverge on capability: Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Ren'Py covers Simple scripting language.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Construct 3 and Ren'Py actually diverge.

Attributes where Construct 3 and Ren'Py differ
AttributeConstruct 3Ren'Py
Pricing modelfreemiumfree
Founded20072004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Construct 3

  • Visual event system
  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Physics engine
  • Sprite editor
  • Particle effects
  • Sound effects
  • Web-based
  • HTML5 support

Only in Ren'Py

  • Simple scripting language
  • Text rendering
  • Image display
  • Animations
  • Sound and music
  • Choice system
  • Save/load functionality
  • Translation support

Both cover

  • GitHub
  • Local deployment
  • Web deployment
  • Mobile deployment
  • Windows support
  • Macos support
  • Linux support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Construct 3

  • Building 2D browser games without writing codenot Ren'Py
  • Publishing HTML5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one projectnot Ren'Py

Ren'Py

  • Writing visual novels with a text-based script languagenot Construct 3
  • Building dating and management life simulation gamesnot Construct 3
  • Shipping the same story project to Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOSnot Construct 3

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Construct 3

  • The free version caps projects at 50 events, or 25 when used without an account
  • Free projects are limited to 2 layers, 2 special effects, 1 timeline animation of up to 5 seconds and 1 web font
  • The free version can only publish to HTML5 and the Construct Arcade, so desktop, Android, iOS and Facebook Instant Games all need a paid plan
  • Licences are per seat and annual, at $129.99 for Personal, $168.99 for Startup Business and $468.99 for Business

Ren'Py

  • Desktop support is limited to Windows 10 and later on x86_64, macOS 10.10 and later on x86_64, and Linux on x86_64 or Arm
  • Android and iOS are secondary platforms and development must be done on one of the three desktop platforms
  • Browser builds require WebAssembly support and Ren'Py states this platform remains Beta
  • Text support covers languages that do not require ligatures, with only some ligature-requiring languages supported

Pricing, plan by plan

Construct 3

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Web-based editor
    • HTML5 export
    • Asset library
  • Personal$99/year
    • All Free features
    • Offline editor
    • Advanced export

Ren'Py

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Cross-platform support
    • Rich scripting language

Which should you pick?

Choose Construct 3 if

  • You need visual event system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want drag-and-drop editor.
Construct 3 review

Choose Ren'Py if

  • You need simple scripting language.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want text rendering.
Ren'Py review

Questions people ask

Is Construct 3 or Ren'Py better?
Neither clearly leads. Construct 3 starts at Free and Ren'Py at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Construct 3 or Ren'Py?
Construct 3 starts at Free and Ren'Py at Free.
Does Construct 3 or Ren'Py run on more platforms?
Both run on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Construct 3 for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Construct 3 best used for?
Construct 3 is most often used for building 2d browser games without writing code, publishing html5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one project. Of those, building 2d browser games without writing code and publishing html5 games to the web, desktop and mobile stores from one project are not what Ren'Py is typically brought in for.
What can Construct 3 do that Ren'Py cannot?
Construct 3 covers Visual event system, Drag-and-drop editor, Physics engine, Sprite editor. Ren'Py covers Simple scripting language, Text rendering, Image display, Animations. Both handle GitHub, Local deployment, Web deployment, Mobile deployment.
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